The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-11-05

Biloxi, and was now in the employ of the rebel authorities there, engaged in the supervision of the construction ot torpedoes, etc. The secret service officers had instructions to look up the deserter, return him alive if possi- ble to Ship Island, or close his career as supporter of the rebel cause. One feature of the character of the Union deserter was given to his pursuers he loved whisky inordinately, and there was no doubt felt as to the success of the interesting expedition, as they knew by previous experience that a sober, intelligent hunter invaribly has the odds in his favor,
 Slowly and carefully the next fex days were spent iii visiting sll the plantations between Beauyoir and the destination of the sloop.
 A lack of energy had somew hat curtailed the momentary success ot the trip, as they were desirous of re- taining as much as possible of their stock in trade till arriving at Biloxi, where they would probably have to spend several days before the last act in the drama could be finished. Before reaching their journeys end and while lying peacefully at anchor close in shore, their nerves were considerably strained by receiving friendly visit of a boats crew of the Confederate steamer "Carondolet," who, like most blue jackets ever met, could smell a bottle filled with poteen if league to windward. The boys were very friendly and their conversation dip lomatically guided and often repeated, as the foreigners were believed to be ignorant dagos, furnished mental charts for the planning of future movements of sloop and owners. The young lieutenant in charge of the cutter stated that two Confederate gunboats, ill addition to his ship, were patrolling the sound and keep ing lookout for valuable blockade runner from England, which was ex- pected to attempt to enter Mobile bay by channel between Petit Bois and Dauphin island, to supply the Con- federates with cargo of arms, ammu- nition and medicines. The youngsters 's garrulity cost his government dear, as ten days later Union gunboat stationed in that channel prevented the English vessel, fitted out in a neutral port, bringing aid and com fort to the boys in gray, and Yankee tars divided considerable prize money in consequence.
 By the time the sloop reached Bi- loxi, their owners were in possession of information that, if brought to Union headquarters, would have been considered fully equivalent to the trip and it's dangers, but to return without the coveted passenger was not thought of. So the vessel was secured to the wooden pier of the little town with the determination not to fit away un- til the human cargo was safely on board. Biloxi was found to be typi- cal southern town, inhabited by a rabid crowd of secessionists, whose mental capacities had not been sharp ened by the use of books, and even if the visitors were not employed upon a political mission, they learned suffi- cient to guarantee them, if discovered, speedy passage to another cline.
 The cargo of the little sloop was welcomed by the populace as the gur- gle of the desert spring is by the thirsty Arab. They were in need of everything in the shape of provisions, and bottle of .'Old Kentuck" could not be procured for love or money, a situation of affairs which made the examination of credentials on the part of authorities very hurried and super ficial, snd which brought the arrivals immediately upon familiar footing with the most august civil potentate in town, the mayor, who assured them that his palate and throat were as dry as drumhead, and whose immense swallowing capacity proved the asser- tion.
 A few companies of the Mississippi regiment were holding the town, and soon one of the sloop's crew was cir culating around among them with the bashful astonishment of a yokel de- picted on his physiognomy, and the determination to locate the deserter in his mind. AS humanity of the dago class was despised and looked upon AS of less consequence than a negro, the stroller's movements were not noticed, and the object of his wanderings, the deserter, had good reason to curse the photographers art or his own stupid ity in sitting in front of camera at Ship island, as within twenty -four hours after the arrival of the sloop at the wharf two men who meant busi- ness were discussing the ways and means by which his career as a traitor to the stars and stripes could be closed and Colonel Deason, commanding the soldiery, uncOnsciously supplied the incentive to brin0 tho desired prize